How to Get an App Store Refund

First, find the receipt

Search your email for a receipt from Apple or Google Play. The receipt shows what was bought, the price, the date, and which account was used. If you have more than one account, you need to sign in with the one that made the purchase. If there is no app store receipt, the company may have billed you directly, and you should contact that company.

Requesting a refund from Apple

Apple handles refund requests through its Report a Problem website. Apple says you can expect an update within 24 to 48 hours, and an approved refund may take more time to reach your payment method. A pending charge cannot be refunded yet, so wait until you get the receipt.

• Go to reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in.
• Choose I'd like to, then Request a refund.
• Pick the reason, then choose Next.
• Select the item and choose Submit.
• If you are a Family Sharing organizer, you can view family members' purchases there too.

Requesting a refund from Google Play

Google says it generally does not refund Play purchases, but there are exceptions. For apps, games, and in-app purchases, timing matters. Within 48 hours of buying, you may be able to request a refund through Google Play. After 48 hours, Google directs you to contact the app's developer, who decides based on its own policies.

Google also notes that a refunded app may be removed, you lose access to the item, and you can usually get a refund for the same app only once.

• Use the refund request option on Google Play's help site and sign in with the account that made the purchase.
• Choose the purchase and follow the steps.
• If more than 48 hours have passed, contact the developer through the app's Play Store listing.

What to include in your request

Keep it short, factual, and polite. The reviewer needs to understand what happened quickly.

• The item name, date, and amount.
• The reason, such as an accidental purchase, a child buying without permission, or an app that did not work as described.
• What you already tried, such as contacting the developer.
• Screenshots of error messages if the app did not work.

If a charge was not made by you or anyone you know

That is different from a refund request. Change your account password, turn on two-step verification, and report the charge. Google says to report charges you do not recognize within 120 days. Contact your bank or card company too, since they can help you dispute the charge.

Prevent the next surprise

Turn on purchase approval for children's accounts, require a password for purchases, and cancel any subscription you do not want so it does not renew again.